German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany is ready to contribute to the security of sea lanes in the region around the Strait of Hormuz, but only under clear legal and political conditions, including a formal international mandate – preferably from the United Nations – and the approval of the German Bundestag.
As the chancellor pointed out on 16 April, such conditions are “still far from being met”, so any potential mission at this stage remains hypothetical.
Discussions with European partners are expected in Paris, where a possible framework for maritime security co-operation could be considered. German officials also noted that any multinational effort could theoretically include coordination with U.S. forces, although an operational plan has yet to be confirmed.
A government source said Germany could potentially provide naval capabilities such as mine countermeasures vessels or maritime surveillance assets. German access to logistical support facilities in the region, including the East African country of Djibouti, is also being discussed in the context of wider NATO and EU maritime operations.
Merz did not confirm a specific military contribution when asked about media reports indicating that Germany could provide expertise in demining and surveillance assets. The German Defence Ministry has also not publicly confirmed such plans.
Merz stressed that any deployment of forces would require, at a minimum, a stabilisation of the security situation and a ceasefire agreement before considering operational involvement.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy delivery routes, remains highly vulnerable due to ongoing regional tensions. Prior to the current crisis over Israel and the U.S. war against Iran, approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments travelled through this waterway.